Unknown book, a complete mystery

[VPEP]

Not sure where to post this, so I apologize if it's in the wrong section. I purchased this book about 15 years ago and have rediscovered it while rearranging my collection. I have not been able to find out anything about it, but I know it's in French and is a children's book about the war from a French perspective. It must come in two volumes, because it starts just before the invasion of France and ends just as America enters the war. Fortunately it came with a fully typed out translation, which also looks old. I would love some opinions or any info about it. Here are some photos of the illustrations, which are pretty neat.
Thanks for looking,
Vic

[VPEP]

More illustrations

[VPEP]

Another

[VPEP]

And another

[VPEP]

And finally

[byterock]

Yep Nice

Well know piece produce in 1944 as a collected volume of other clandestine comics,

Here is what one exhibit had to say

"When Paris was liberated in the summer of 1944, a beautifully illustrated, 29-page hardback comic book appeared on the market seemingly overnight. This publication, La bête est morte! (The Beast is Dead!), presented a pictorial account of war among animals who symbolized all of the major players of World War II. Hitler was portrayed as the big bad wolf, Mussolini as a hyena, and the Japanese as yellow monkeys. Meanwhile, the occupied French were glowingly depicted as docile rabbits and industrious squirrels beset by barbarian hordes from other countries. Their savior, a great white stork wearing a Lorraine cross, clearly symbolized Charles De Gaulle and the Resistance. The story does not touch on the subject of French collaboration."

and here is a good write up on it

The Beast is Dead

[VPEP]

Wow, thank you very much for the link. There was no copyright date in it so I assumed it was published after some time after the war. Are these very common? If so I would love to find the second volume.

[scotty1418]

Such a great piece! Love it!

Looks like a set was offered for EUR 120 back in 2007.

[VPEP]

That is very nice to know. I don't remember what I paid but I know it was no where close to that amount. I can only speculate that this copy was brought home by a US serviceman, who then had it translated after the war. It also came with a letter from the translator saying how interesting it was, but it would be over the heads o children. The illustrations are just fantastic. All your info has definitely given me more of an understanding and appreciation for this piece.

[peter monahan]

Adult comics, Gen Xers to the contrary, are not a new idea. In fact, of course, most cartoons before the late 19th century, were political commentary, so this adult comic contnues a long and honourable tradition.

I'd guess that searching ' La bete est Mort' on ebay and /or Abe books might get you a copy of the other volume.

[VPEP]

I have looked on Ebay, and was very surprised at what some of the sellers were asking for a copy. I will definitely try abe books. It would be nice to have both volumes of this set.

[scotty1418]

It looks like they did a re-issue edition in 2007 and you can pick up one of those for $30~